Air India stops full-service flights at Imphal; Air India Express to continue, move not linked to Ahmedabad crash, says AAI
NEW DELHI:
Air India
has discontinued its full-service flight operations from Imphal International Airport starting 15 June, Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials confirmed on Monday.
The airline's low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, will continue its services at the airport, ensuring uninterrupted air connectivity.
According to officials, the move is part of a 'long-standing, pre-planned strategic decision' and is unrelated to any recent incidents.
The decision comes just days after Air India's London-bound flight AI 171 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport on 12 June, killing 241 people.
However, officials clarified that the move to stop full-service operations in Imphal is not connected to the crash.
'The move is part of a broader strategic realignment by the
Tata Group
, which owns the airline. Air India Express, the group's low-cost subsidiary, will continue its operations at Imphal, signalling a shift in service model but ensuring continued air connectivity,' said another AAI official.
Efforts to contact Air India for further comment were unsuccessful.
AAI officials noted that Air India has had a long-standing presence in the region, historically linking Imphal with key cities across India.
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